Combined Syllabus for Undergraduate Jazz
Saxophone Private Study (MSJ JSA - JSN)
Note: Entering levels and pace of advancement of students may vary significantly.
This syllabus represents a rough summary of what is expected at various
levels, based on the achievements of average students of similar levels in the
past.
Students are expected to memorize a minimum of 10 tunes per semester for a total repertoire of 80 tunes by graduation. (This number is usually exceeded by a wide margin).
The levels by semester:
JSA (first semester)
Introduction to principals of saxophone acoustics
Introduction to tone production, intonation, tonal color, and blend
Basic technique, scales and chords as assigned
Jazz phrasing
Establishment of a “tune list” (repertoire)
Study of improvised solos through transcription
Suggested study material:
Selected studies from Taffanel/Gaubert Method for Flute
p112-115, 125, 128-133
Major scales full range, thirds, fourths, diatonic seventh chords
Greg Fishman, Jim Snidero; Jazz Saxophone Etudes
Salviani/Iasilli Exercises in the Practical Keys
Transcription suggestions: Sonny Stitt, Hank Mobley, Stanley Turrentine
Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley
Tune suggestions: There Will Never Be Another You, I’ll Remember April, On Green Dolphin Street, Take The A Train, Polka Dots and Moonbeams, In a Sentimental Mood, Tenor Madness, Oleo, Various Charlie Parker heads (Blues and Rhythm) Solar, So What, What is This Thing Called Love, Donna Lee, Girl From Ipanema (all Jobim library) etc..
Minimum number of memorized tunes: 10
JSB
Continuation of JSA material as needed
Suggested study material:
Melodic minor scales full range, thirds, fourths, diatonic seventh chords
Bob Mintzer Jazz and Rock Etudes and Blues and Rock Etudes
Guy Lacour Etudes
on the Modes
Transcription suggestions: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane 1953-58, George Coleman,
Phil
Woods, Paul Desmond, Dexter Gordon
Tunes suggestions: Invitation, Stablemates, Along Came Berry (all Benny Golson library), Giant Steps, Countdown, All the Things You Are, Stella By Starlight, Body and Soul, etc..
Minimum number of tunes on tune list - 20
JSC - JSD
Continuation of earlier levels as needed
Suggested study material:
Diminished Scales
Harmonic minor/major scales and patterns
Pentatonic Scales/Patterns
Application of melodic minor/pentatonic scales
Extended range exercises
Chromatic scale extensions
Tritone substitutions
Bergonzi Pentatonics, Melodic Structures, Melodic Rhythms
Ted Reed Syncopation
Luis Bellson Modern Reading in 4/4 Time
Transcriptions Suggestions: Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Joe Henderson, etc
Suggested Tunes/Composers: Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, John Coltrane
Minimum tune list JSC 30; JSD 40
JSE – JSF
Continuations or earlier semesters as needed
Suggested Material:
Augmented
Scale
Rhythmic exercises from drum methods
Continue extended range studies
A cappella improvisation
Studies in melodic/rhythmic development
Walt Weiskop Jazz Etudes, Gary Campbell Expansions
Suggested Transcriptions: Later John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett,
David Liebman
Chris Potter, Branford Marsalis, Bob Berg
Suggested Tunes: Coltrane Giant Steps adaptations, Compositions by Ron Miller,
Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson
Minimum tune list JSE 50; JSF 60
JSG-JSH
Recital Preparation
Suggested material:
Building of repertoire: concentration on selected influential composers: Ellington, Shorter, Hancock, Miller, Silver,
Jobim, Golson, Liebman,etc
Advanced
technique studies: Bozza Etudes Caprices, Lacour 8 Difficult
Studies, Karg Elert Etudes
Review of teaching methods, materials
Topics of interest as decided by student in consultation
w/teacher
Minimum tune list JSG 70